Kevin Whitworth, Executive Director

907-574-0388 | kevinwhitworth@kritfc.org

Growing up in McGrath, Kevin learned from his elders to love the land, the river, and the natural world from an early age. He spent many hours exploring, hunting, fishing, and trapping out in the woods and on the rivers. Through high school and college, Kevin spent his summers working as a biological technician at several wildlife refuges across the state. After graduating from University of Alaska Fairbanks, he worked a number of full-time positions for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including Deputy Refuge Manager for the Innoko National Wildlife Refuge in McGrath. Kevin has also worked for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, and as the Lands and Natural Resources Manager for MTNT Limited, the McGrath village corporation. While working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kevin met his wife, Dara. They have a young son and two daughters and enjoy spending time at their remote cabin, dogsledding with their team of dogs, and being outside as much as possible. He joined KRITFC’s team in May 2018 and has served as Executive Director since 2022. 

Terese Vicente | Policy & Programs Director

907-545-5022 | terese@kritfc.org 

Terese's love for the outdoors began during her adolescence in Tacoma, Washington. She moved to Bethel in August 2020 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame to run KRITFC's communications and outreach as a Jesuit/AmeriCorps Volunteer. After two years of full-time service, she was hired on as full-time staff in KRITFC's Bethel office in 2022 to support the Tribes of the Kuskokwim with fisheries advocacy, outreach, and co-management. Terese enjoys spending her free time picking tundra berries, boating and fishing on the Kuskokwim, watching birds, reading, taking her friend’s dogs for runs, and baking sourdough. 

Justin Leon | Research Director

907-434-1038 | justin@kritfc.org 

Justin was born and raised in Georgia, where he found his love of fish and wildlife while attending the University of Georgia. He moved to Alaska after graduating and has made Alaska home since then. He studied fisheries at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he focused on Chinook salmon in the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers. He worked as a Tribal liaison for the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society after spending 10 years with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. As a fishery biologist with the state, he worked with crab and salmon research, and wild fisheries stock management in Northwest Alaska, the Alaskan interior, and the Aleutian Islands. Justin lives in Anchorage, Alaska with his wife, Liz, and three sons. He enjoys hiking, hunting, fishing, foraging, and spending time with his family in his free time. 

Andrew Magel | Fisheries Biologist 

907-545-2692 | andrew@kritfc.org 

Andrew grew up in Connecticut, where he developed his love for wildlife and ecology. He came to KRITFC as a Fisheries Technician Jesuit/AmeriCorps volunteer in August 2022, and is excited to return to the Kuskokwim to work with KRITFC, its Tribes and its partners. While in Bethel, Andrew enjoys birding, berry-picking, and exploring the Kusko and the tundra. 

Danny Auerbach | Salmon Ecologist 

650-793-2531 | danny@kritfc.org 

Daniel Auerbach was born and raised in California, before moving to the Pacific Northwest for college. He received a B.S. In aquatic and fishery sciences from the University of Washington and a B.S. in environmental sciences from Washington State University where he also received his Ph.D. in environmental and natural resource sciences.  Danny's graduate work focused on bridging the gap between science and technology, developing alternative ways to derive escapement estimates in central Washington. The majority of his work outside of academics has been in the salmon world as a technician for the Washington Department of Fish and Game. His work focuses on the intersection of salmon escapement monitoring, emerging technologies, and collaboration with tribal communities across Alaska. Daniel is particularly interested in advancing monitoring methods and analytical tools that improve the understanding and stewardship of salmon populations while supporting community-driven fisheries management. He is deeply passionate about fisheries science and the role it plays in sustaining both ecosystems and the cultures that depend on them. 

Essie Bean | Project Assistant 

907-545-3959 | essie@kritfc.org 

Esther Bean was born and raised in Bethel, Alaska where she grew up fishing and picking berries. Essie’s love for the land and the river motivated her to pursue a degree in Fisheries and Marine Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and she is excited to work with KRITFC as she continues to work on her degree. In her free time, Essie enjoys drawing, beading, sewing, and walking with her dog, Eska. 

Erald Murati | Fisheries Technician & JV/Americorps Volunteer 

907-545-4379 | erald@kritfc.org 

Erald was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Having read a lot about wildlife as a kid, Erald deepened his passions for wildlife, conservation, and ecology during his studies at Saint Louis University, where he graduated in 2025. He's eager to channel his lifelong curiosity into his service with KRITFC. In his free time, Erald enjoys hiking, spending quality time with loved ones, learning languages, and listening to music. 

Elyssa Loughlin | Communications Coordinator 

908-370-8109 | elyssa@kritfc.org 

Originally from New Jersey, Elyssa moved to Bethel in 2020 to serve as a Jesuit/AmeriCorps Volunteer with KYUK after graduating from La Salle University with a degree in communications and biology. While at KYUK, she was introduced to KRITFC and its Commissioners through a news lens and collaborated with the organization on PSAs and Fish Talk. After some time working in public media, she was excited to join KRITFC in a professional capacity in 2024. Elyssa is grateful for the opportunity to work with and help tell the story of KRITFC and Kuskokwim Salmon People.  

Charlee Korthuis | Fisheries Management & Research Intern

Charlee Korthuis (Punurcilria) was born and raised in Bethel, Alaska, with family roots in Emmonak on the Lower Yukon River. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology with a minor in Alaska Native Studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage and is a University Success Student with ANSEP. Through internships with Tribal, state, and federal organizations, she has worked on fisheries, Indigenous stewardship, tribal relations, and community engagement initiatives. As an Arctic Youth Ambassador, Charlee has represented her community across Alaska and the circumpolar Arctic. In 2025, she was honored to be selected as the Youth Keynote Speaker at the First Alaskans Institute Elders & Youth Conference, where she shared reflections on perseverance, cultural identity, and responsibility to future generations. In her free time, she enjoys beading, yuraq (Yup'ik dancing), spending time with family, and berry picking during the summer.